Main Pot

Initial pot of money that all players have contributed to before any side pots are created due to one or more players going all-in.

Understanding Main Pot 

Grasping the concept of the main pot and side pot is essential for effective poker strategy, particularly in no-limit games where players have the option to go all-in at any moment. Understanding how these pots are structured helps players make informed decisions about betting, calling, and the potential value of their hands. It allows players to strategize based on the amount of money at stake, manage their risk effectively, and adjust their gameplay according to the actions of their opponents.

Examples of Main Pot

In the first scenario, Player A goes all-in with $10, and both Player B and Player C call with $50. This results in a main pot of $30, comprising $10 from each player. Additionally, there is a side pot of $80, which includes $40 contributed by both Player B and Player C beyond Player A’s all-in amount.

In the second scenario, Player A goes all-in with $20, while both Player B and Player C call the same amount of $20. In this case, there are no side pots created, and the main pot totals $60, made up of $20 from each player.